Party Animals (Xbox Series X|S)

We've been wondering when Recreate Games' Party Animals is finally, actually gonna arrive on Xbox consoles and we've got our fingers crossed that it's on its way very soon. Yes, this madcap party game, which looks a little like a very violent version of Tunic, sees players take control of all manner of cute little animals, then proceed to batter the life out of each other across a bunch of stages that look as though they employ plenty of fun and dynamic environmental elements. Here's hoping we can all make painfully great memories when this one hits Game Pass in the not-too-distant future.

  • Release Date? 2023
  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Pragmata (Xbox Series X|S)

Capcom's rather mysterious sci-fi effort, Pragmata, was first revealed in a short teaser all the way back in 2020, the official Twitter account had it listed as a 2022 release for a time, then a later trailer marked it to arrive in 2023. Yep, there's much confusion surrounding this one, and with very little still known beyond what we can gleen from its rather haunting trailer, everything is still a bit up in the air. However, we can't help but get excited by anything new from Capcom and that trailer, with its photorealistic graphics, futuristic astronaut and little girl who seems to be imbued with strange powers...well...it's all a bit Death Stranding vibes at the moment and we can't wait to get our hands on it. Are they returning to a dead earth on data-collecting missions? Is it a digital recreation of New York inside the moon? Are they dead? Are they dreaming? Can you feed a digital cat? How do you ride a horse? We'll find out all of the answers in 2023.

  • Release Date: 2023
  • Xbox Game Pass? No

Replaced (Xbox Series X|S)

Sad Cat Studio's first revealed Replaced back in 2021 but, if you were watching The Game Awards 2022 recently, you'll have caught its newest trailer, which was one of our absolute highlights of the entire show, it looks super stylish and just...it looks amazing. This "2.5D sci-fi retro-futuristic action platformer" is set in a highly stylised, cyberpunk version of an alternate 1980's America, and in it you play an AI trapped inside a human body, fighting against the all-pervading filth and depravity that's engulfed this fictional version of Phoenix. The action here looks slick and free-flowing from what we've seen, and the devs are promising a deep and thoroughly engrossing dystopian mystery to go along with it. Another banger for Xbox Game Pass in 2023 then, it seems.

  • Release Date: 2023
  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II (Xbox Series X|S)

Another highly anticipated game that appeared in our list last year, we're still no further along with what we know about Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, really. We've got that gameplay trailer from 2021 to pore over, but in terms of information, well, there hasn't been anything of real substance since we last rounded up our most anticipated games. When it does arrive, we reckon it's gonna be a real showcase of the graphical power of the Series X, and what we've seen points to an even darker, grittier adventure than its predecessor, so lets keep everything crossed that 2023 is the year that Senua finally emerges back onto the scene.

  • Release Date: 2023? (We're hoping!)
  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Skull & Bones (Xbox Series X|S)

Ubisoft's Skull & Bones finally arrives on consoles this year after ten years in development and multiple delays to its expected release date. This multiplayer-focused pirate extravaganza sees players rise from scurvy dog to infamous pirate captain, indulging in multiplayer ship-to-ship battles that are based off the sea combat we all know and love from Assassin's Creed Black Flag. You can check out the gameplay trailer here, we reckon the action looks like it's got plenty of depth to it and that open world looks gorgeous. Of course, Ubisoft has had a lot of time to add depth and refine things so we're expecting big things and, with a huge open world set in the Indian Ocean and single player elements for those who wish to go it alone, it seems there's plenty to look forward to when this one docks on Xbox.

  • Release Date: 9th March 2023 (Delayed TBD)
  • Xbox Game Pass? No

Solar Ash (Xbox Series X|S)

We've been waiting patiently for Heart Machine's Solar Ash to drop on Xbox consoles for quite some time now, with the game originally releasing on other platforms all the way back in December of 2021.

All signs point to the Hyper Light Drifter dev's gravity bending adventure arriving quite soon though, so we've no doubt we'll be voidrunning through glorious neon dreamscapes before we know it. This game shows all the hallmarks of what made Hyper Light Drifter so special, with a striking visual style, unique controls and an attention to detail that draws you deep into its colourful world. We've spent some time with this one already and it's well worth looking forward to.

  • Release Date? 2023
  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 (Xbox Series X|S)

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is the much-anticipated follow-up to 2007's cult classic FPS horror. Boasting a truly massive open-world to explore, players look set to be constantly on their tippy toes as they prowl through the darkness of this all-new Exclusion Zone, the game's ultra atmospheric post-apocalyptic playground. We've got absolutely no doubt that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is gonna be an intense, terrifying experience when it lands - the trailer looks immense - and we cannot wait to return to this franchise's unique world-building style. The game's development has, of course, been affected by the war in Ukraine but, after being pushed back from a 2022 release, it seems we're still on track to get our hands on this one sometime in 2023.

  • Release Date: 2023
  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown (Xbox Series X|S)

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is one hell of a mouthful, but it's also looking like it could be one hell of a game. Retaining much of the DNA from earlier entries in the series, Solar Crown sets out to drive the franchise forward into a whole new generation with a revamp that sees the action take place in a vibrant open world that gives players free reign to progress as they please, race, cruise around, relax and hang out utilising the game's various social elements. This one's sounding pretty slick from what we've heard so far and we can't wait to take it for a ride later this year.

  • Release Date: 2023
  • Xbox Game Pass? No

The Expanse: A Telltale Series (Xbox Series X|S)

We're always excited for whatever the maestros over at Telltale Games are cooking up next and The Expanse: A Telltale Series has certainly got our interest piqued.

Players jump into the shoes of the hit TV show's Camina Drummer, with Cara Gee reprising her role on voice-acting duties, as she scavenges ships in zero-G environments, survives a bloody mutiny and engages in pirate combat. A choice-driven narrative propels the whole thing along as a danger-filled adventure that sees you explore the uncharted edges of The Belt unfolds. It's looking like a bit of a cracker this one, and we can't wait to board the Artemis a little later this year.

  • Release Date? 2023
  • Xbox Game Pass? No

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (Xbox Series X|S)

It's already out on PC and, besides a few bugs and issues that need sorting out, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is looking and playing fairly well right now. If you're familiar with developer Fatshark's excellent Vermintide games, you'll kinda know what to expect here, with brutal, fast-paced action for up to four players as you group up and try to complete objectives while blasting your way through bot and/or human enemies. The main difference with this new effort from the dev is that they've introduced guns to what was previously a melee only affair. We were concerned about how this would affect the balance of the game but, by all reports, it works well. There are still rough edges to be patched out and the whole thing needs beefed up a bit with more content but, by the time it arrives on Xbox - and straight onto Game Pass by the way - this one should be an absolute hoot to get stuck into with some Warhammer-loving pals.

  • Release Date: 2023
  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

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And that's it for our roundup of just some of what's headed our way in 2023. See anything you particularly like the look of, or know of something we should have had on there? As always, let us know in the comments!